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What is biblical discernment and why is it important?

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:4; Ephesians 4:14
Code: QA138


What is biblical discernment and why is it important?
By John MacArthur



In its simplest definition, discernment is nothing more than the ability to decide between truth and
error, right and wrong. Discernment is the process of making careful distinctions in our thinking about
truth. In other words, the ability to think with discernment is synonymous with an ability to think
biblically.

First Thessalonians 5:21-22 teaches that it is the responsibility of every Christian to be discerning:
"But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil."
The apostle John issues a similar warning when he says, "Do not believe every spirit, but test the
spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world"
(1 John 4:1). According to the New Testament, discernment is not optional for the believer-it is
required.

The key to living an uncompromising life lies in one's ability to exercise discernment in every area of
his or her life. For example, failure to distinguish between truth and error leaves the Christian subject
to all manner of false teaching. False teaching then leads to an unbiblical mindset, which results in
unfruitful and disobedient living-a certain recipe for compromise.

Unfortunately, discernment is an area where most Christians stumble. They exhibit little ability to
measure the things they are taught against the infallible standard of God's Word, and they unwittingly
engage in all kinds of unbiblical decision-making and behavior. In short, they are not armed to take a
decidedly biblical stand against the onslaught of unbiblical thinking and attitudes that face them
throughout their day.

Discernment intersects the Christian life at every point. And God's Word provides us with the needed
discernment about every issue of life. According to Peter, God "has granted to us everything
pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory
and excellence" (2 Peter 1:3). You see, it is through the "true knowledge of Him," that we have been
given everything we need to live a Christian life in this fallen world. And how else do we have true
knowledge of God but through the pages of His Word, the Bible? In fact, Peter goes on to say that
such knowledge comes through God's granting "to us His precious and magnificent promises" (2
Peter 1:4).

Discernment -- the ability to think biblically about all areas of life -- is indispensable to an
uncompromising life. It is incumbent upon the Christian to seize upon the discernment that God has
provided for in His precious truth! Without it, Christians are at risk of being "tossed here and there by
waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine" (Ephesians 4:14).



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